EVEREST

5: Dylan

“Are you sure this is something you’re okay with?”

Mom had been stressing over the fact that I wanted to attend Ava’s school.

Even if she did later pull some strings to have me admitted, she wasn’t entirely on board with the idea.

For some reason, she was worried attending the school might make me feel sad but that really wasn’t it.

Honestly, I think this may be the only way I could ever feel close to Ava again.

“What if they find out that Ava is your sister? I don’t want you to feel weird with all those people offering condolences on your first day”

She wasn’t wrong.

That would have been uncomfortable but that wasn’t going to happen.

“Mom, Ava went by Montgomery not Hue. Different last names so don’t worry about it.”

“Dylan….”

I held her and kissed her cheek.

“I promise. It’s okay. I’m just trying to get to know Ava”

Mom wiped a tear and nodded.

“Will you be home in time for dinner? I’m making spaghetti and meatballs”

“I wouldn’t miss it. I really have to go though. Can’t be late on the first day”

“Please be okay, baby”

I hugged her again, walked out the front door, got into my car and drove off.

I’d driven here with Mom to take the admission exam once and I still remembered how to get to Everest Prep.

Undoubtedly one of the best private schools in Beverly Hills.

I finally pulled up to the school gates

You know, the place looked less like a school and more like a country club for kids who have trust funds and access to a s**t ton of coke.

Everything was way too clean.

The school I used to attend wouldn’t even dream of coming close to a place like this.

Talk about an upgrade.

If only Tyler and Penny and that dumb principal Brown could see me now.

Everest Prep had perfect lawns, white stone pillars, and rows of pristine sports cars that probably cost more than my own dignity.

Walking through the hallways felt suffocating but still really cool.

I never attended a private school before.

Totally unfair how I got stuck with the broke parent?

Thank God for good changes I guess.

Everyone here was wearing the same tailored navy blazers.

It was a sea of perfect hair, teeth, expensive perfume, and fake smiles.

Or maybe not fake smiles.

I really shouldn’t be out here judging rich people.

My class was Senior class B.

The homeroom teacher, a sharp-faced woman named Mrs. Gable, didn't even let me sit down first.

As soon as I stepped through the door, her eyes locked onto me, and she clapped her hands together to get the class to stop talking.

"Everyone, eyes up," she announced, her voice echoing off the walls. "We have a new student joining us today from out of state,” she turned to me, “Now, dear,why don't you stand at the front and introduce yourself to the class? Tell us a bit about where you're from."

Great. Just f*****g great.

Thirty pairs of eyes whipped toward me, instantly sizing me up, judging my haircut, scanning for any sign of weakness.

Might as well picture me naked at this point, guys.

I stood by her desk, keeping my hands shoved deep into my pockets so no one could see them shaking.

"I'm Dylan Hue," I said, keeping my voice flat. "I just moved here from Oregon. There's not really much to say. Nice to meet you by the way."

A few kids whispered to each other in the back row.

A guy in a varsity jacket let out a quiet snort.

“Well that was pathetic” He said loudly a few people laughed.

I looked straight at him.

“Real classy,” I said. “Did your daddy teach you to be dumb in public or it’s natural instinct for you?”

The room went dead silent.

A girl in the second row gasped, and the varsity guy’s smug grin instantly vanished as his face flushed red.

Mrs. Gable cleared her throat loudly, trying to claw back control of her classroom.

"Well... welcome to Everest Prep, Mr Hue. Take a seat in the back row next to the window."

I dragged my feet to the back, pulling out a pen just to look busy.

Remember what I said about not judging rich people? f**k that noise.

Judge them.

Rude, little, entitled, fake blonde dummy.

Whatever.

Recess would roll around soon and I could find a dark room to sit in and pop a Xanax or something.

But when recess did come around I didn’t go find a silent room.

Instead, I followed the crowd to the cafeteria.

Calling it a cafeteria was an understatement to be honest. It looked more like a luxury food court.

I was looking for an empty corner to swallow my misery when a familiar voice cut through the noise.

“Jacket? Is that really you?.”

I turned around.

“Lulu?”

She ran up and threw herself into my arms and I swung her around.

She didn’t stop giggling even after I stopped spinning her.

I was just as happy as she was to see me.

She wasn’t alone.

Waiting for her were two girls who looked like they belonged on a billboard.

She motioned for them to come over and they did.

“Jacket, these are my friends, Allie Baxter and Kristie Lockwood. President of student council and captain of the cheer squad respectively”

“Wow,” I said and offered a small wave, “Hi”

Allie Baxter was a striking brunette with sharp eyes that immediately started sizing me up like a specimen in a lab.

Kristie Lockwood, a gorgeous redhead with a confidence that told me she knew she was the hottest person in the room.

No wonder she was the captain of the cheerleading team.

Lulu grinned and pointed a fry she was holding at me.

“Girls, this is Dylan. The guy I told you about. The one who looked like a broke drug dealer on a bench.”

“Oh, for f***s sake, Lulu”

Allie raised an eyebrow, her gaze lingering on my face.

“So this is Dylan? I have to admit, Lulu, your taste in strays is actually improving.”

Did this chick just call me a stray?

Stray Cat or dog though?

I think the answer would determine if I’ll get offended or not.

Kristie let out a soft laugh.

“He cleans up nice. Welcome to the madhouse, Dylan. Pretty sure we’re in the same class”

That was true. Now that she mentioned it, I did recall seeing Kristi in passing.

I managed a dry smile.

“Thanks,” I said, looking at Lulu. “And for the record, I don’t sell weed.”

Lulu snorted, swatting my arm playfully.

"Shut up, Jacket. Come sit with us."

“Guess the nickname isn’t going anywhere” I muttered while being dragged off.

We walked over to their table, which was a literal prime real estate right by the massive courtyard windows.

Sitting down between three of the it girls in the senior tier definitely beat sitting in a corner swallowed by my own misery.

"So," Allie started, leaning forward on the table. "Word travels fast at Everest, Dylan Hue. I heard you completely castrated Brad in the middle of AP English." An amused smirk rested at the corner of her lips. "Bold move for a new guy."

“You should have seen it,” Kristie added, “I’m glad I did”

"He was asking for it," I shrugged, keeping my voice cool. "I know how it goes.Eat them before they try to eat you”

Kristie chuckled, taking a sip from her drink.

"Brad's a total i***t anyway. You did the whole class a favor. His ego needed a reality check."

"Speaking of egos," Lulu said, her eyes shifting over my shoulder toward the cafeteria entrance. “Here comes your bae, Allie”

Allie’s sharp expression instantly softened and, a bright smile broke out across her face.

“Remind me why you like this guy again” Lulu said.

“Oh shut up, Lulu. He’s a great guy”

“He’s weird”

Allie rolled her eyes at us and returned it to her boyfriend.

"Hey, babe!”

She began waving her boyfriend over excitedly.

I turned around carelessly, fully expecting to see another standard-issue jock in a navy blazer.

My heart completely stopped when I saw the person Allie was calling to.

Walking toward our table with an effortless, slow stride was the vampire guy from the club.

Zayn Malone.

My mind instantly short-circuited.

Images of the back of his car, the heavy grip of his hand in my hair, and the way he kissed my neck flooded my brain all at once.

My throat went completely dry.

What the f**k?

What the fuckkkkk????

Zayn stopped right behind Allie’s chair, resting his hands on her shoulders after planting a kiss on her head.

His dark eyes flicked down to me.

There wasn't a single hint of surprise on his face.

He just stared at me, his lip twitching into a wicked smirk.

"Dylan, this is my boyfriend, Zayn," Allie announced proudly, completely oblivious to what was happening. "Zayn, this is Dylan. He's new."

Zayn kept his eyes locked onto mine, holding my gaze until I felt like I was suffocating.

"Nice to meet you, Dylan," Zayn said, his voice smooth, He tilted his head slightly, the smirk broadening. "Welcome to Everest."